This year, there are an **extraordinarily** large number of idol girl groups that have debuted or are expecting to debut with CD releases. I’m not sure why but it’s really unprecedented! Perhaps it’s a post-COVID rush. Perhaps some agencies are expecting the downturn of the current top groups Nogizaka46 and NiziU for a new generation.
Below are the groups making CD debuts in the 2023 financial year (Apr 2023-Mar 2024). Compare that to only two last year! The “*speculated*” ones are my personal speculation of notable groups with no official confirmed debut date yet.
* [Blueberry Soda](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9flLH-lZo5w) \- Akimoto Yasushi produced group, in collaboration with TBS and The Tanabe Agency. The concept is that they are all aspiring actors. The group was born out of the TV show “Watashi ga Joyuu ni Naru Hi” (私が女優になる日).
* [MOONCHILD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVpX4vT71nI) \- Collaboration between Hybe and LDH, through the TV show iCON Z. They are what you’d expect from a fusion of LDH and Hybe styles in terms of dance and vocals.
* [KiSS KiSS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_7SISpgpYE) \- New group by WACK. They are WACK’s spin on the traditional idol, but they’ve preserved WACK’s alternative edgy style.
* [Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW6U6QMLzP4) (Bokuao) – Akimoto Yasushi produced group, proclaimed to be “Nogizaka46’s Official Rivals”. Their style is very classic Akimoto. They’ve had a huge push and have obtained multiple advertising deals already.
* [FRUITS ZIPPER](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQUo3vITjgY) (Furuppa) – They’re managed by the same agency as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and have a Harajuku style. They had their digital debut last year but have made their major debut this September. They’ve had some songs go hugely viral on Tiktok.
* [≒JOY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x68AnwPpT-s) (Niajoy) – The newest group by Sashihara Rino. Sashihara’s groups are focused on delivering classic jpop style songs with strong live performances and solo parts. Her groups have been growing in momentum recently especially among young female fans. This group is her strongest in terms of vocal skill. They have announced their major label debut in January 2024.
* (*speculated*) [UNLAME](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krz_24PyoB4) \- Consists of some AKB48 members and other auditionees, born out of the TV show “Out Of 48”. Produced by Ichinomiya Yuki, Akimoto Yasushi’s protege of sorts. They’ve released a pre-debut digital single. Their major CD debut is anticipated but not scheduled.
* (*speculated*) [IDOL3.0 PROJECT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxCQ–Dym4U) \- Akimoto Yasushi’s “metaverse idol” project. They are currently conducting auditions through a Youtube series. Fans will be purchasing the NIDT NFT to support the members through the audition and their future activities. The auditions are expected to end soon but no debut is scheduled yet.
* (*speculated*) [Produce 101 JP The Girls](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ5aHWBtb1U) \- Collaboration between large entertainment conglomerates CJ ENM in Korea and Yoshimoto Kogyo in Japan. It’s the 3rd installment of the popular Produce 101 JP series and the 1st one for a girl group. Their previous groups JO1 and INI were largely successful. The show will air Q4 2023 with a debut shortly afterward, but not yet scheduled.
* (*speculated*) Last Idol Shinshou – With the disbanding of the original Last Idol group, Ichinomiya Yuki has succeeded Akimoto in producing a new version called Last Idol “Shinshou”, meaning “New Chapter”. Auditions were held in Spring 2023 with a debut planned in Summer 2023, but it seems they’ve been delayed with no further updates.
* (*speculated*) [Rough×Laugh](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzodkegkvXQ) \- Produced by a renowned comedy TV producer and media personality Sakuma Nobuyuki. They made their digital debut earlier in 2023. No major debut is officially scheduled yet.
* (last year) [OCHA NORMA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5KzwNfox3I) \- The newest Hello! Project group. Their concept is to bring together diverse personalities to form a group for all ages and genders to enjoy.
* (last year) [Takane no Nadeshiko](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzOGNlmCi7Y) (Takaneko) – Managed by TWIN PLANET, with songs by the hugely popular vocaloid production group HoneyWorks. They had a CD debut in 2022 but have announced their major label debut in early 2024.
I won’t go into detail but several KPOP groups have also released Japanese debuts recently. I’m speculating some big ones are on the horizon too.
* Billlie
* IVE
* (*speculated*) aespa
* (*speculated*) NewJeans
* (*speculated*) XG
* (last year) Kep1er
* (last year) STAYC
* (last year) LE SSERAFIM
* (last year) PURPLE K!SS
Most of these debuts probably won’t dethrone NiziU or Nogizaka, but we could be seeing the beginning of a transformation in the landscape. Of course, the big-name KPOP groups are already making a big impact even before their Japan debuts.
What do you think is driving this? Any predictions on successes/failures? Anything I missed?
by WG696
1 Comment
As someone who used to follow more mainstream idol groups in the past but is mostly in the indies/underground scene now, I’m sure that none of those groups will affect me in any way.
Saw FRUITS ZIPPER at Tokyo Idol Festival in August. I can see why they’re popular but they’re not for me.
I don’t think it’s a significant number of groups to be debuting in a year, especially with how many disbanded during the pandemic years.